The Soul Seekers by Amy Saia Read Free Book Online Page A

I’m totally hip now, right?”
    A laugh escaped his lips. “What do you want, Emma?”
    God, this was harder than I thought. “I—I need you to help me. There’s this car out on Halstead that I just bought, but the bridge is out. The guy said it’s always like that, but I thought maybe if someone helped me, we could get it fixed, or maybe we could hire a tow-truck to pull the car over. Do you know anyone that drives a tow-truck?”
    “Can’t say I do.”
    “Can you help me fix the bridge?”
    “Well, as you can see, I’m currently working. So no, I can’t help you go fix a stupid bridge. Emma, this has to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why in the hell would you buy a car from someone when you can’t even get it out?”
    Tears were beginning to flow, making me oh so mad at myself. He was right; it was an incredibly stupid plan. “Because I’m desperate to get out of here.”
    “Like I ain’t?”
    I turned away, knowing sobs were about to rip through my chest and I was no expert at crying. It would be messy.
    “Come here.” He grabbed me and turned me back to face him. “Come here. God.”
    His arms came around me, holding me close, stroking the wet mass of hair that fell down all the way to my waist.
    “I’ll go with you and help you get your money back. Does that sound okay?”
    I nodded.
    “Let me go speak to Phil.”
    Jesse left me by the register while he went to the back store room. I looked out the window to the rain-drenched world, thinking how the weather was almost as pathetic as I was; letting loose for no reason and with no hope for sunlight. I wanted sunlight—I still believed it existed, somewhere. If only I could find a way to get to it.
    Jesse sauntered out, a leather jacket draped over his arm. “Phil’s docking my pay every second I’m gone, we gotta make it quick.”
    He didn’t hold the passenger door open for me but got in his side and waited for me to do the same. I was fine with that. I knew where he stood and what to expect of him. Jesse was no gentleman, but he was helping me out and that made him ten times better than most guys on earth.
    “Halstead,” he said, turning onto Oak off of Main. “It’s probably Old Jenkins. That guy, lord, Emma. I can’t believe you went all the way out there. He’s probably already put the money in his mattress, and you don’t want to see that thing.”
    He was right, I didn’t.
    Jesse looked me over, cocking an eyebrow at my soaked appearance.
    “What?”
    “You don’t look like hell, you look hot.”
    “I don’t feel like it.”
    “I know, and that’s what’s cool about you. You don’t know how sexy you are, do you?”
    I shrugged.
    “Emma’s hot, Emma’s hot,” he chanted in a whisper, leaning in. “She needs my help and came to get me. Why? Because she secretly loves me. That’s why.”
    I guffawed. “You’re full of it.”
    “Full of love—for Emma.”
    “Shut up, Jesse.”
    The car was idling at a streetlight and he was too close.
    “We’ll leave town together, don’t you see how perfect this is? We’ll get your money back, sell the coin, and leave in a few days. I’ve got a gig tomorrow at the Summerfest on the square, and Phil owes me one more paycheck.”
    Coin. I fished it out of its spot in my wallet and held it up.
    “Jesse, what is it about this thing? Ouch.” A fiery shock snapped at my fingers, worse than before. “Here.” I placed it in his outstretched hand.
    “Mmm, it’s beautiful. Here, you keep it for a little longer. I don’t want that thing on me any more than needed.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean—nothing.”
    The car dipped and jolted a few times onto the gravel road leading us closer to the washed-out bridge. When it came into sight a few bumpy minutes later, Jesse hopped out of the Camaro to take a look, coming back over to stand by my window. “Yeah, that’s pretty much a waste—nothing’s driving over that. Let’s get your money back.” He